Republican Rep. Joel Kleefisch authored the bill. He says with the level of training officers go through, they should be able to carry a weapon on school grounds. “We need to look at any possible way to help make sure our schools continue to be safe and if that means there is someone in place to potentially end someone who desires to do violence against our children, that we're in a situation to stop them.”

Kleefisch also says the legislation would bring state law closer to the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act, which allows these types of officers to carry weapons on school grounds.

There is some disagreement over whether to include retired officers in the bill.

Tom David of New Berlin says he's not opposed to including off-duty officers in the legislation, but told the committee he'd like former and out-of-state officers to be removed. “My question is, why these individuals are, by amending state law, being given greater constitutional rights than any other citizen than who may have a concealed carry permit?”

Amendments may be added to the bill, including one that would allow people with concealed carry permits in Wisconsin to carry on school grounds.

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